Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15)

Please allow me to repeat a little story that illustrates this verse nicely. See if you can identify any of the characters.

Three men — John, Hugo and Jack — went for a walk in the park one night. John and Hugo were Christians. Jack was not.

All three men had very large brains and shared an interest in deep intellectual discussions. That night, they were discussing mythology and what gives myths their hint of truth.

A rather healthy debate developed. John argued that the truth of myth is the degree to which it reflects the story of Jesus. Jack disagreed. John went on to respectfully explain and argue for the truthfulness of Christianity. The debate continued on and on and on into the wee hours of the morning back in Jack’s room.

The conversation had a huge impact on Jack. A few days later, he wrote in a letter: “I have passed on from believing in God to definitely believing in Christianity” and that his long late-night debate with John and Hugo “had a good deal to do with it.”

Jack went on to become arguably the world’s most popular Christian author, writing dozens of books and children’s stories. His name? “Jack” was the nickname John and Hugo bestowed on C.S. Lewis. If they hadn’t taken the time to gently and respectfully share their faith with their friend, their might never have been a Mere Christianity, no Narnia and probably no Lion, no Witch and no Wardrobe.

John went on to do some pretty remarkable things himself. Ever hear of The Lord of the Rings? John is what the “J” in J.R.R. Tolkien stands for.

You never know what one little conversation can do. Always, always, always be prepared to give the reason for the hope you have in Jesus. And always always always do it gently and respectfully.